What to do in a Dental Emergency
Posted on 10/10/2016 by Michael Mettler |
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Last November the world watched in shock during the UFC 193 event as Holly Holm defeated Ronda Rousey with a knockout blow to the face that left her out of the limelight for days. When she finally emerged, it was revealed that she had sustained injuries to her face that had resulted in several unstable teeth. She explained that it could be months before she would even be able to eat an apple.
With the popularity of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) and MMA-related sports exploding among men, women, and children alike, one thing is for sure — the opportunity for severe dental injuries is significant. Sports such as MMA, kickboxing, boxing, grappling, and wrestling are thrilling, and they provide excellent workouts and sustained confidence for people of all ages. And while most classes provide or require some form of protective gear, accidents can still happen. This isn’t to suggest that you should not consider a mouthgaurd for sports including football, soccer, baseball, softball, and more.
One of the most common causes of tooth loss is trauma caused by impact or unexpected contact with a hard surface. Breaking, chipping, and cracking that leads to a tooth needing to be removed can occur when engaging in sports that include partial or full-contact sparring. When trauma to a tooth occurs, there are things you can do to try to preserve the tooth and save it from loss. The following list is a guide for what to do when you are faced with an unexpected dental emergency.
- Knocked-Out Tooth: Rinse the tooth carefully, making sure not to wash away any remaining tissue. Attempt to place the tooth back in its socket carefully. If this is not possible, place it in a container of milk, or water with a pinch of table salt. Call your emergency dentist immediately. Your tooth has the best chance of being saved if you are seen within an hour of having it knocked out.
- Chipped, Cracked, and Broken Teeth: Gather and rinse all broken pieces of the tooth. Rinse your mouth with warm water and apply gauze if there is bleeding. Use a cold compress to relieve pain and swelling in the injured area, and contact your emergency dentist to be seen immediately.
- Fractured Tooth: Dentists can easily fix fractures with a composite restoration. A dentist should be seen within a couple days of the injury.
- Partially Dislodged Tooth: When a tooth gets pushed out of its proper position, it is important to manage the pain and get into your emergency dentist immediately. Apply a cold compress to the area and take a pain reliever such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen as needed.
- Lost or Broken Crown: Save your crown and set up an appointment with your emergency dentist right away. If possible, use over-the-counter dental cement to reattach the crown. If there is any pain, take an over-the-counter pain reliever such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen. Clove oil can also be used to soothe sensitive areas.
- Broken Braces: Orthodontic wax can be used to cover or temporarily reattach loose brackets and broken wires. If a broken wire is poking out and into your cheek or tongue, use the eraser end of a pencil to move it into a comfortable position, then cover it with wax, gauze, or cotton. See your orthodontist to have your braces repaired.
- Soft-Tissue Injuries: Tears, punctures, and lacerations to the soft tissues of the cheek, lips, or tongue should be cleaned and packed with gauze. A trip to the emergency room is necessary if stitches are needed.
If you or your children are considering joining a full-contact sport, preparing for a dental emergency is key to preventing tooth loss.
The following are a couple of items and information to have on hand:
Dentist’s phone number and email address
Small, portable container for dental emergency kit
Saline solution
Tissue
Gauze
Orthodontic wax
Dental cement
Compress
Ibuprofen and/or acetaminophen
Finally, one of the most important steps you can take toward protecting your smile in any sports-related activities is talking to Dr. Martin about a getting a custom mouthguard. According to the American Dental Association, sport mouthguards have been shown to reduce the risk of sport-related dental injuries significantly. Having our office fit you or your child with one that is resilient, comfortable, and durable could mean the difference between keeping or losing your teeth in a sports-related incident.
To find out more about mouthguards and protecting your teeth, call Dr. Martin today at 509-525-5902 for an appointment.
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